Cheney Shooting Victim Back in Intensive Care!

[Pryderi]

Just heard it on the radio! If Whittington dies, will Cheney be prosecuted?

[Nickster]

1. What do you think? Do they ever get held accountable? Ever? Just once?

[Kablooie]

110. It was all Whittington's fault! How could Cheney be held responsible?

Whittington decided to befriend Dick Cheney so it's Whittington's fault.
What more evidence do you need?

[Xenotime]

151. Cheney should start cleaning out his office.

I bet he resigns by the end of the month.

[laruemtt]

2. did they give anymore info? n/t

[savemefromdumbya]

3. You would think Cheney would not want all this publicity (Plame leak)

since he is implicated in Plame leak

[AngryOldDem]

4. We can hope

If it were Joe Sixpack plugging a fellow hunter, you bet your ass he'd be charged with something, even if it were simple assault and battery. Cheney should be no different.

[IndianaGreen]

5. But they said he was talking and joking!

I guess that was a lie too!

[Carni]

33. They'll report ANYTHING remember the 12 miners headed to the church?

I have come to the conclusion that actual *reporting* of facts is a thing of the past--they get fed key tid bits from the usual sources and they mimic what they are told.

Anyone have a link to this guy being back in ICU?

[mwb970]

97. They said Terry Schiavo was "talking and joking" as well.

Unfortunately, her brain was a liquid at the time.

[MrBenchley]

6. Bill Maher imagines dialogue between Cheney and his doctor:

"Ah yes. The Jew. I didn't recognize you without the rib spreader."...

Sir. I'm doing the best to stop the bleeding, but we're out in the middle of nowhere. No equipment. No sanitation. This is a far cry from George Washington University Hospital."

"Yeah, it's more like the County Hospital right next door to it. Well, do your best."

"I'm stanching the blood flow."

"No you idiot. I meant do your best to make it look self-inflicted."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/cheneys-shooting-spree_b_15611.html

[warrens]

104. Freaking hilarious

[Strelnikov_]

7. I Was Worried About This

Infection, 78 year old, being wounded by a weapon wielded by a wraith (look what happened to Frodo).

Hope he gets better.

[skooooo]

8. yikes!

if the old man dies, i don't see how the state could NOT charge cheney with manslaughter.

[valerief]

9. At least he won't be able to talk about Corpsegate

[havocmom]

12. There ya go. Pointing out that the cards always favor the junta

:thumbsup:

[valerief]

35. Did you have any doubt? Shooter and Scooter are blessed.

The 12,000 NOLA people with no homes and no jobs are not. That's how the W/Shooter/Scooter World wants it.

[txindy]

47. Shooter and Scooter.

:rofl:

:rofl:

[hang a left]

62. You got trademark it

Shooter and Scooter

[dmr]

94. Shooter & Scooter!! Bawahhhhhhhaaaaaa

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Oh, my sides .... valerief, Dems oughta hire you to write our talking points ...

[DoYouEverWonder]

74. Sure hope he gets a proper burial

Not.

[valerief]

Good one!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. skoooo, it's the VP. He is above the law. Period.

That SOB has gotten away with crimes for decades. he traded with Iran when it was illegal. He traded with Iraq when it was illegal. He created off-shore Haliburton subsidiaries to hide his crimes. He got his former company billions in no-bid contracts after threatening, firing and worse those who dared to object.
He is evil incarnate. He will never be charged.

[Canuckistanian]

21. And all that all was BEFORE he became VP

Face it, Cheney isn't like you or me. There's a parallel set of laws for guys like Cheney. And it's a pretty thin lawbook.

[midnight armadillo]

61. Easy, it was the victim's fault, remember?

You know, you walk in front of a loaded gun, it's your fault for not jumping up and down and shouting at the wielder of the gun when it goes off and you get 'peppered.' So how could they charge Cheney with anything?

[Libby2]

149. Oh they will find a way

they are already blaming the victim.

[SillyGoose]

10. Minor injuries, my ass. Any kind of trauma like this is going to be

rough for a 78 year old. I hope Whittington will be alright.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. carotid artery, eyes, ears, nerve bundles, nothing to worry about at all

Plus, at an advanced age like his?
Perhaps he was too tuckered out from the Viagra he and Cheney shared the night before with Ms. Armstrong and ms. Ambassedress.

[maxrandb]

11. If the guy dies, is the VP charged with Manslaughter?

I hope the guy is OK, but I have to wonder what would happen to you or I if we had accidentally shot someone.

[Fridays Child]

15. Uh...it's a coincidence--nothing to do with the hunting injuries.

Emergency vocal cordectomy. Can't have Mr. Whittington telling the truth.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. I don't know Mr. Whittington

I don't wish him ill or well. I don't know him, and honestly don't care about him.

But, I must admit, there is this part of me that wonders how a badly-hurt 78-year-old man might tolerate being shot in the face. I mean, just the trauma has to have had its effect on him and his health.

Imagine if he succumbs to his injuries.

Would Mr. Whittington's death mean Cheney would finally deign to talk to the cops?

Would Cheney die of anxiety if the fix wouldn't work with the good laws of Texas?

Ah, it's more than an anarchist lawyer such as I can contemplate without getting dizzy and giddy.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.................

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

20. That's an eirie frikking graphic!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

25. Can you believe it?

It's from a website of a Johns Hopkins cardiologist. How 'bout that color scheme?

heh heh heh

[opihimoimoi]

98. Traumatic Shock, Massive Infection, Blood poisoning, etc etc

a whole bunch of things can affect Whittingtons outcome. "Some pellets will remain for now"...meaning they too deep and close to nerves/arteries/veins/eyes/other vital shit...

This man can die...Hope not...but the threat is there....

[Pryderi]

17. I think he was DOA, and the WH is trying to figure out what to do

[KittyWampus]

22. Very Tinfoil of you, but I like it!

:thumbsup:

[Pryderi]

34. They're looking for an intern at the hospital to take the fall

[Beetwasher]

36. Yup! They'll Blame A Doctor!!!

If he dies they will blame the hospital! You are so right!

[Sugar Smack]

I second that. They have to work quickly, don't they?

Those assholes. And what's a minor sacrifice of one doctor?

[KansDem]

56. Nah, they need the doctors and hospitals. They'll blame a nurse!

Then they'll blame the nurse's union, then all unions, then all workers. It's all part of their MO...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

42. Hey, look! There's a bullet on the gurney!

Yikes!

[KansDem]

59. Soon we'll hear Sen. Specter pontificate on the "Magic Pellet Theory" (nt)

[catnhatnh]

64. Speaking of tinfoil...

....why did Cheney shoot the man on the grassy knoll???

[Beetwasher]

27. It's Not Beyond The Realm Of Possibilities, It IS ODD That HIS FAMILY

Has not been heard from as far as I can tell.

[electron_blue]

91. Yes, exactly.

[KansDem]

76. Kind of like what Steve McQueen did in "Bullit"

Frank Bullitt (McQueen) is selected by Chalmers (Robert Vaughn), a politician with ambition, to guard a Mafia informant. Bullitt's friend is shot and the witness is left at death's door by two hit men who seem to know exactly where the the witness was hiding. Bullitt begins a search for both the killer and the leak, but he must keep the witness alive long enough to make sure the killers return. Chalmers has no interest in the injured policeman or the killers, only in the hearings that will catapult him into the public eye and wants to shut down Bullitt's investigation.

The witness dies in the hospital's ICU and Bullitt "hides" the body for awhile to keep the investigation open.

Bullit

[0007]

88. Not only that, the corpse slide out of the meat wagon on the way to

the hospital and now they can't find the body.

[Lucille]

108. Isn't it odd that none of Mr. W's relatives have said a word to the press

Does he have any relatives? When did they find out? What do they think about what happened to him?

I can understand that they did not ask to be in the media, but as far as I've seen, no reporters even mention that they tried to make contact and were rebuffed.

It's all Armstrong,Willeford and McClellan--and even their stories don't make any sense--Armstrong said at first she thought that when the SS rushed in that there was a heart attack--yet she claims to have witnessed the whole thing!

[FSogol]

18. Sounds like they are trying to rush his recovery.

See, its no big deal. :sarcasm:

[lpbk2713]

19. They put something lethal in his IV so he would never tell.

I'm kidding........ I'm kidding. :eyes:


This is starting to sound like a "B" grade movie.

[Canuckistanian]

31. Oh, come on

If he dies, THAT will be the a nuclear bomb going off. What news could possibly be worse than that?
Especially after all that "it was just a flesh wound" talk.

[WinkyDink]

167. How quickly they forget! Two words: Bill Casey.

Or: William Colby.

[av8rdave]

23. If Whittington dies, they will just tell us

that he is lightheartedly making jokes with God about getting shot by the VP.

You can almost see it coming...

[Poll_Blind]

44. Oh God, you're right! I can see that and it's scary. n/t

PB

[sui generis]

24. and the bullshit this morning on the news

Whittington sat up, did an Irish jig, several cartwheels, ate a 12000 calorie breakfast, played a game of chess blindfolded and gargled dixie backwards while eating peanut butter and standing on his head!

He's not in a coma at all!

Wonder how they're going to spin this one . . .

[ewagner]

166. They already did that last night

I think it was Dana Bash who reported from the hospital that Mr Whittington was up,walking around, reading newspapers and "surprised" that he was a national celebrity....

Of course, that was from a "spokesperson"...Dana didn't actually interview Mr Whittington....:eyes:

[flyarm]

26. i can only pray that Whittington gets better...this must be awful

for his family...

everything else is moot...

fly

[WinkyDink]

169. Somehow I can't muster up sympathy for a buddy of Cheney's.

I'm harsh.

[stepnw1f]

28. Involuntary Manslaughter

I willing to guess Cheney freaked out because of something he didn't like hearing from this man.

[Beetwasher]

29. It's Certainly Possible That HE NEVER LEFT ICU

And Rove was getting ahead of the story on purpose. It's also possible that he's dead.

[AlCzervik]

37. i think you're right on about him not leaving icu.

[myrna minx]

30. I hope he is able to recover.

My thoughts are with his family. How sad.

[endarkenment]

32. Gee I heard on nazi pubic radio

that he get 'peppered' by no more than 10 'bbs'.

[stop the bleeding]

38. How serious is this ?? Does anyone have firm info??? n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

39. Poor guy was probably booted out of IC for publicities sake

If he dies will the doctors be prosecuted for negligence and get a cell with Dick?

[phusion]

40. Are you sure?

This came down from USA Today about an hour ago:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/02/report_whitting.html


The man whom Vice President Dick Cheney wounded this weekend, Harry Whittington, will leave the intensive care unit this afternoon, hospital officials tell the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. "Whittington will be moved to a step-down trauma room and he likely will remain in the hospital for several days," an administrator says in today's edition.

If you're interested in this story and haven't yet registered with the Caller-Times site, the time is now. After breaking the shooting story Sunday, the site this morning is all Cheney, all the time....

[janx]

41. What radio station?

What was the source of this information? Just curious.

[Algorem]

48. Stephanie Miller was saying it was on ABC news on an L.A. station at 7AM

there.

[janx]

50. Thanks.

I hope the old guy gets better. Nobody deserves that.

[Pryderi]

54. I heard it at 10am ET on Springer. ;)

[BlueInPhilly]

69. He's gonna have pellet-face

Eeewwww!!!!

"Whittington was in stable condition at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial and was moved from intensive care to a "step-down unit" Monday. Doctors decided to leave several birdshot pellets lodged in his skin rather than try to remove them."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/02/14/MNG2JH85GS1.DTL

[meisje]

43. IF he were even close to being ok, we would have seen pictures by now

[Maru Kitteh]

52. Unless he's very disfigured and half covered in bandages.

Then we'll not see him for MONTHS.

[mwb970]

130. We'll never see pictures. (n/t)

[slide to the left]

160. maybe

he will get the second ever face transplant

[Oilwellian]

45. How sad

Having a father a little older than Whittington, I can't help but feel bad for what's happened to him and I hope he can recover from this.

[Texasgal]

46. Oh DEAR GOD!

Folks...listen up:

Whittington is most likely in ICU because of risk of infection. He is 78 years old, and is most likely on blood thinners. Wounds like these need to watched closely.

I am a former traige nurse, and currently an RN for a group of surgeons. ( just wanted you to know )

ICU does not mean DEATH, it only means that this patient needs to watched more closely.

This story has no legs, the guy was accidentally shot during a hunting trip. I have NO IDEA why people are making such a super huge deal out of this. ACCIDENTS happen with hunting all of the time!

[katinmn]

49. Cheney was hunting w/o a license and reports say he may have been drunk

Cheney was also "protected" from speaking with local law enforcement and withheld info for 24 hours until it was uncovered.

It's important because of who is doing the shooting.

[Texasgal]

67. I'd like to see some proof that he was drunk...

Is there a link?

See, this is why the neo cons think we are fucking batty, it's because of things like this... stories and MIHOP and LIHOPS... or whatever it is.

I HATE Cheny with a passion, but I honestly don't understand why THIS story is getting so much attention.... people who handle firearms.. GET SHOT sometimes.

[txindy]

123. I'd like to see proof that he wasn't, esp. after a 22 hour delay.

Neocons think we're batty? They of the "Some people say" fame? Like I care.

[katinmn]

147. No proof since law enforcement was turned away by SS

When you're not open people presume you're hiding something.

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/nationworld/ci_3508428

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said that about an hour after Cheney shot Whittington, the head of the Secret Service's local office called the Kenedy County sheriff to report the accident. "They made arrangements at the sheriff's request to have deputies come out and interview the vice president the following morning at 8 a.m. and that indeed did happen," Zahren said.

At least one deputy showed up at the ranch's front gate Saturday evening and asked to speak to Cheney but was turned away by the Secret Service, Zahren said. There was some miscommunication that arrangements already had been made to interview Cheney the next morning, he said.

Gilbert San Miguel, chief deputy sheriff for Kenedy County, said an investigation had found that alcohol was not a factor in the shooting, but he would not elaborate about how that had been determined. The Texas Parks and Wildlife hunting accident report also said neither Cheney nor Whittington appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants or drugs.

[onenote]

102. "Reports" --- show me these reports. Or even a link to them.

Someone here posts that Cheney might have been drunk and suddenly that's a "report".

Wow.

onenote

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

51. All the time! 19 times in Tx last year with over a million hunters.

[Beetwasher]

53. LOL! THE VP SHOT A GUY IN THE FACE W/ A SHOTGUN

And we're not talking grazed here, he shot the guy full on, in the face neck and chest. It's a fucking huge story. The guy could very well die, for all you know. No legs? :rofl:

Heh? You have no fucking clue why he's back in ICU. For all you know, one of the pieces of shot left in him could have entered an artery. Nice online diagnosis though, Mrs. Frist. :eyes:

[Texasgal]

Wow...

Thanks for such a snaky post.

THis story has dumbed us all down. This story has NO LEGS... so what... HUNTING ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Just last year, 30 people DIED in Texas due to hunting ACCIDENTS. Not to mention the amount of people who have been injured.

I just don't understand WHY we are making such a big deal out of this story, there are so many other issues that do have legs.

And...really, just because I have an OPINION about this, that was just REALLY uncalled for to call me Mrs. Frist. :eyes:

[Beetwasher]

63. Wow, Indeed

People are making a big deal of it, because IT IS A BIG DEAL, duh.

Say this to yourself: "The VP shot a guy in the face w/ shotgun". Say it again. It's a big deal. AND he tried to cover it up.

Claiming the story has no legs only makes you look foolish. YOU don't decide whether or not it has legs or whether or not it's a big deal and wishing doesn't make it so.

If you don't want to be called Mrs. Frist, don't make stupid online diagnoses. Just admit you have no clue about why the guy is in ICU.

[Texasgal]

77. Are you in the medical field?

I am an RN.... Is it possible that this person could be at risk of infection? YES. UMMM>>> HELLO?

Do you know?

And really... thanks for calling me stupid, I guess if I am not lock-step with all of you guys that I am "Mrs. Frist" Or "stupid". Wow... you guys really know how to make someone feel welcome around here.

[Beetwasher]

81. Except YOU DON'T KNOW THAT

Sure it's possible, it's also possible an artery was severed. You keep trying to insist this is not a big deal and throw out possibilities that make it seem like this is nothing and trying to minimize it.

Why is that?

[Texasgal]

86. You want to know why that is?

Because the tin foil conspiracies on this board are out of control! It makes us look stupid.

" Cheney shot this guy b/c he asked him to step down" :eyes: " Cheney PURPOSELY shot Whittington because of PLAMEGATE" :eyes:

Could Cheney have simply had a HUNTING ACCIDENT? Could the victim be in ICU because he is 78 years old and is at great risk for infection? Could any of these things be possible?

That's all I am saying, do you think he's near death? If so why? Do you know what condition he is in REALLY?

I fucking HATE Cheney, but honestly... I don't think much is going to come out of this story, that's MY OPINION... if I am allowed to have it. :eyes:

[Beetwasher]

100. "It Makes Us Look Stupid!"

Gee, thanks for looking out! :eyes:

You're entitled to your opinion, but A LOT has ALREADY come out of this story, or haven't you been paying attention.

"Could Cheney have simply had a HUNTING ACCIDENT? Could the victim be in ICU because he is 78 years old and is at great risk for infection? Could any of these things be possible?"

Thanks for making my point. Anything is possible, we have ONLY the information coming from Rove and Cheney. Yet YOU keep trying to minimize it, when in fact it's FAR more likely that this 78 yr old man who got shot in the face, neck and chest w/ a shotgun blast is in FAR worse shape than we are being lead to believe. Cheney wants us to believe it was a fleshwound. Do you buy that? Why do you insist on trying to minimize it?

[Texasgal]

107. I am minimizing it because that could be

what is actually happening. It may not be as big of a deal as people think. Kind of devils advocate here.


You're right, it is all just speculation right now. YOU speculate that this mans injuries are life threatening, and I don't. SPECULATION.

ON EDIT: It wasn't a SHOTGUN blast either. The type of gun and ammo used is much like a BB gun.

[Beetwasher]

111. No, I Don't Speculate At All, And If You're In The Medical Field

as you claim, then you should know, if he's still in ICU after 3 days, it IS a big deal. The guy is 78 and was shot in the face, neck and chest w/ a shotgun and STILL has dozens of pellets in him. Even and INFECTION IS a big deal. You should know that.

[Texasgal]

116. Yes... it is a BIGGER deal to be in ICU.

But it dosen't mean that you are NEAR DEATH. It just means that you need to watched more closely.

I edited my above post ( you may not have seen it ) It wasn't a "shotgun blast" It was a pellet gun, which is alot like a BB gun.

[Beetwasher]

121. BULLSHIT!!!!!! IT WAS A FUCKING SHOTGUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you're pushing the propoganda that it wass a pellet gun??? :eyes:

Who said he's near death??? He COULD be and I only said that because YOU were speculating that he was probably in ICU for fear of infection and I said you could just as easily speculate that it was something far more serious. You're a real piece of work. Way to push the WH propoganda.

[SPKrazy]

164. 28 guage shotgun, 7.5 bird "pellets"

Not a "pellet gun"

That's Hannity's spin

It was a shotgun,

I've seen the Fish & Game accident report on smokinggun.com

don't have a link

[NYC]

189. Some information on 28 gauge shotgun.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/28gauge.htm

...All 28 gauge shells are 2 3/4 inches in length.



Still not able to find a picture.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

117. It was a 28 gauge shotgun. Just because it was birdshot doesn't

make it so that you can call it a BB gun now. Even the Cheney people, while trying to use words like "pepper" and "spray" instead of "shot", aren't calling the gun something different now, LOL.

[janx]

118. Nobody knows anything--because of shoddy reporting

and the White House's refusal to confront this thing full-on.

Chances are they're minimizing this guy's injuries; I think that's a given. He wasn't "peppered" with bird shot; it didn't rain down on him. He was SHOT in the face, the neck, and the side--at least that much was reported. Cheney was shooting almost level with a shotgun, which is a terribly reckless thing to do.

Given this guy's age, anything could happen.

It is an embarrassment that Cheney is so irresponsible that such a thing could have happened in the first place. It's a disgrace.

"Accidents happen" doesn't cut it--not when the shooter is the VP of the United States and the victim is a 78-year-old man.

I agree with you about the hysteria, but this is extremely serious.

[janx]

124. Have you ever fired a 28 gauge shotgun?

I have. And I can assure you that a 28 gauge shotgun is a real shotgun.

[GliderGuider]

128. Sorry, a 28 gauge is a real-life shotgun

It's a small one, to be sure, but it has about 1/2 the load of a 12. Here's some info:

"Modern field and target loads for the various shells are generally loaded with lead shot as follows. The standard 12 gauge field and target load is a 2 3/4" shell loaded with 1 1/8 ounces of shot. The 28 gauge target and field load is a 2 3/4" shell with 3/4 ounce of shot."

So, half the load of the a 12 gauge, with about the same pellet velocity, though usually with smaller shot for lighter game. It ain't no BB gun.

[janx]

135. It's not that small.

It has a slightly lighter kick when fired, but it's shotgun-sized, basically. The pellets don't spread as widely as those of say, a 12-gauge (so the shooter of a 28 has to have better aim), but the pellets are just as effective (as you mention).

[GliderGuider]

150. Yes, I meant the barrel diameter and load were smaller, not the gun itself

As your pic shows, it ain't no pellet gun.

[janx]

163. ABC News has published the disinformation that it

was a "pellet gun," so maybe that's how Texasgal misunderstood.

The 28 is an elegant shotgun, really. The vice president's recklessness is inexcusable, but his taste in firearms isn't bad.

[janx]

146. PIC

[onenote]

148. It is a shotgun, but birdshot can be pretty small

Not saying you can't be seriously harmed by birdshot, but I get the feeling that a number of posters speculating about the nature of Whittington's injuries and the fact that the doctors are saying they don't plan on removing the shot don't have any idea of how small birdshot can be. I don't know what specific shot Cheney was using, but typically when you're hungint a small bird, you use a pretty small shot. The smallest that I know of is No. 9 shot, which is pretty doggone small: eight one-hundredths of an inch in diameter. Years ago, a neighbor got upset that our dog was breaking into his chicken coop and, in retaliation, shot our dog in the hindquarters with birdshot. We actually never knew about it until a couple of years later when our dog was in an accident and had to be x-rayed and we saw the pellets.

onenote

[janx]

143. Texasgal, here is what Cheney fired when he shot Harry:

[Maru Kitteh]

171. Oh yes, obviously a BB gun

:sarcasm:

[stickdog]

185. Of course it was a SHOTGUN blast. It was a SHOTGUN blast

to a poor guy's face, neck, chest AND heart!

[FearofFutility]

154. I'm an RN and I've NEVER transferred someone

to the ICU because they were AT RISK for infection. I've transferred many patients to the ICU due to sepsis, though. Does your hospital really transfer people or admit people to ICU simply because they are at risk for infection? You must have a very large ICU.

[w8liftinglady]

173. I was thinking the same thing-this time of year,icu's are packed

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

114. It could be so many things besides infection. He had trauma to the chest.

I saw it mentioned, but not cited, in a post that he had penetrating chest trauma (can't verify). We don't know if he had a chest tube or not. If he had a pneumothorax, he could have a persistent air leak. He could have bleeding from vessels in the chest, if he'd had it previously and it wasn't completely controlled.

We have no details on the nature of the surgery performed.

Since he had trauma to the face and neck, he could have potential airway compromise from swelling, bleeding (hematoma), or infection.

I agree that infection is one of the more likely scenarios, but we are given so little information it's impossible to know. I'm throwing out scenarios to show how many different OTHER things it could possibly be.

He could have exacerbation of underlying medical conditions from being sick from his injury, have a heart attack, stroke, or go into atrial fibrillation or something. Anything.

[FearofFutility]

155. I think your scenarios make more sense.

None of my patients were ever in ICU simply because they were are risk for infection. Damn near every patient admitted to the hospital is at risk for infection.

[goclark]

145. I'm not in the Medical Field but the story has legs~

It is ALL over the news.

The LEGS came from the COVER UP, not the incident.

The LEGS came from the fact that once again, Cheney demonstrates that he doesn't care about the American people. He doesn't care if we hear the TRUTH at all.

Even his own party is saying that he made the situation worse.


I'm not in the medical field, but I KNOW that being 78 and staying in any hospital this long is a problem. I know that they wouldn't need to move you back to ICU if there wasn't some kind of problem.

Again, the WH is trying to make light of this poor man's injuries -- their regular spin.

With all the germs that can be picked up in hospitals,they want you out as fast as possible.

Since we also have no idea if he has heart problems, diabetes etc.,that only adds to the LEGS that this story has.

According to my TV stations, it has Legs, feet and arms and a head with injuries.


I pray for the victim and his family.

I pray for all the other victims in Katrina, Iraq, on Medicare etc. that CHENEY didn't care about --- he has no HEART and that is another reason that demonstrates that this story has LEGS.

Happy Valentine's Day Mr. Cheney ~ the irony floors me.

[stickdog]

184. You made a clueless Fristian diagnosis. Why don't you simply admit it?

[slide to the left]

162. no legs

they were amputated due to severe bullet wounds

[Maru Kitteh]

172. Pa Dum Pum! WELCOME to DU :-) . . . .n/t

[Bridget Burke]

106. Where can I get #'s on 2005 hunting incidents?

According to the Houston Chronicle, 29 incidents were reported in 2004. There were only 4 fatalities.

www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/outdoors/3654597.html

If things got so much worse in 2005, why haven't we heard more about it?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

119. I think Texasgal is thinking about the 29 accidents (not fatalities) you

have cited, unless she provides some other info that she hasn't done yet.

[Texasgal]

129. Actually, yes... I was wrong...

I thought it was "deaths" when they reported. Sorry. Thank you for the heads up.

[Shakespeare]

168. It's not the hunting accident aspect - it's the bizarre response by the WH

They delay the story, they give incorrect info....this is an all-around bizarre and suspicious story. Yeah, it has legs. Hunting accidents may happen all the time, but they do not happen all the time with the vice president, and they are rarely treated with such cloak-and-dagger secrecy treatment as the white house has been giving it.

[WinkyDink]

170. Sure, accidents happen all the time.

BUT NOT WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT as the SHOOTER!!!!

Get it?! The VICE-PRESIDENT!!!!

[stickdog]

183. Care to revise your Fristian analysis?

Yes, hunting accidents happen. So do drunken, unreported hunting manslaughters on adulterous romps.

[KyndCulture]

57. NO hunting accidents do NOT happen all the time...

you are wrong.

[Texasgal]

60. 30 people DIED last year in Texas

Do to hunting "accidents".

[Beetwasher]

66. And They Were All Shot By The VP???

:eyes:

The story is a big deal. It's bizarre and it's metaphorical and it's poignant. Insisting it's not only makes you look foolish.

[Texasgal]

68. I am not insisting anything...

Gee, I have an opinion. :eyes:

I guess if I am not lockstep with DU than I am stupid or a fucking freeper.... GEEZ. :eyes:

[Beetwasher]

71. Yes, You Are

"This story has no legs, the guy was accidentally shot during a hunting trip."

You are insisting this story has no legs and is no big deal. When the VP shoots a guy in the face w/ a shotgun, and then tries to cover it up, guess what? That's a big deal and a big story. Period.

[Texasgal]

Okay..

You win. :eyes:

[WinkyDink]

174. Okay, here's the test: Imagine YOU have been shot by the Veep,;

are STILL, after 4 days, in ICU; have been portrayed as causing your own shooting; have not had any law enforcement investigation; the Vice-President has made no statement to the public; and you've just learned that Scott McClellan has joked about this event.
Would you be pleased if your circumstances were considered insignificant?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

70. Yes, but I heard on C-span from the Houston paper that it was 29

out of 1,000,000 licenses.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

78. I thought it was 29-30 accidents, 4 deaths...

[Pryderi]

80. Of the 4 victims, how many were over 70 years old?

[Bridget Burke]

112. Yup.

Those numbers were posted in the Houston Chronicle--for 2004. If the numbers for 2005 were so much worse--why haven't we heard?

[Bridget Burke]

109. A link would help!

In a previous post, I cited an article in the Houston Chronicle. In 2004, there were only 4 hunting fatalities.

Why did things get so much worse, so quickly?

[Maru Kitteh]

179. WRONG. 29 accidents, only 4 deaths accidents also included falling out of

trees and exposure to cyanide bait.

Next?

Oh yeah, and the guy just had a heart attack. You must know they are downplaying his condition to the nth degree, right? 78 year old man takes 100 bits of bird shot in the face, head, neck, chest and some of it is lodged next to or in his heart.

I'd say his life is in danger.

I'd say the story has legs. Long ones. Now we know why they tried to cover it up.

[stickdog]

186. More BULLSHOT! (nt)

[txindy]

65. No legs? Are we living in the same state?

'Cause the folks around here (Hill Country) are beside themselves with opinions on what an idiot Darth was this weekend. And these people are his BASE.

The idiot shot someone. Instructed the Secret Service to keep the local police away from him. Then he promptly left the state! His victim was transferred from the first hospital he was sent to - a hospital that, presumably, had an ICU that competently handles intensive care patients - and moved him to a Trauma Center at another hospital miles away.

Legs. Countless legs.

[livetohike]

73. What "friend" leaves the state after they just shot their buddy?

What was so important that Cheney couldn't stick around for one day to make sure his friend was okay?

This whole story stinks.

[Texasgal]

83. Yes.. I agree with that.

Look, I hate the bastard more than anyone. I just don't think that anything will come out of this. I just don't. Ia m not a freepr, and I am not stupid as some have suggested. I think this thing will pass blindly with nothing. Just my opinion....

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

82. He's a post surgical patient...for trauma, which is always a tricky

scenario.

Add his age, possible underlying chronic diseases, which may impair his healing, put him at risk for infection and/or increase the possibility of uncontrolled bleeding and one thing you don't have is a "stable" patient.

MKJ

edited to add: I'm an RN, with both ER and ICU experience. And, yes, ICU doesn't necessarily mean "dying" however, it does mean the patient needs to very closely monitored, because of the real risk of serious/life threatening complications. MKJ

[Thtwudbeme]

84. I was a paramedic, and agree with your post....to a point.

Right to the point where you leave your medical opinion behind and start preaching about the story having no legs-

I think these clowns need to be hammered on every stupid mistake they make.

[noamnety]

153. Here's why the story has legs

Whether you hate or love Cheney, in the past you probably haven't viewed him as incompetent or foolish. Maybe evil, maybe corrupt, but generally smart.

This is a glimpse - a memorable glimpse - into the secret life of Cheney as an incompetent buffoon.

[WinkyDink]

165. People drown all the time, too. And commit suicide. Hasn't stopped

Republicans from bringing up Teddy and Vince.
Don't even mention oral sex.

[stickdog]

182. The VP of the USA -- on a hunting trip with 2 younger woman -- shot his

buddy in the face and then covered up this "accident" for almost 24 hours.

Now the guy's had a heart attack because birdshot is IN HIS HEART.

Do you really think this story is nothing?

[AnnInLa]

55. Weekend at Bernie's anyone?

Maybe he's been dead all this time, and now they will announce he just died. (I don't really think so, but the movie, Weekend at Bernie's keeps popping into my mind for some reason.)

[Guaranteed]

90. ROFL nt

[Pryderi]

113. Weekend at Harry's poster below:

<img src="">

[in_cog_ni_to]

58. Ruh Roh. Looks like the truth is about to be exposed.

The WH thought he was going to be OK. That's the ONLY reason we ever heard about it. The press will be all over this like bees on honey.

Cheney will not be procecuted. I wonder what would have happened to average Joe public had this happened to him? What would happen if Joe public didn't alert the police, or if the hospital didn't notify the police immediately? What would happen to them? THAT is what should happen to Cheney....whatever it is. Hopefully, it's LIFE IN PRISON without parole. ;)

[flyarm]

85. my hubby was shot hunting..nothing will happen!

my hubby was shot almost the same way..only a pellet penetrated his eye and detached his retina..his bosses brought in the top eye surgeon in the country..and put the first silicone patch in his eye and reattached his retina..this was before Sugar Ray Leonard had it done..Great Chinese dr...

the shooter put my husband in his truck and drove him to hospital when it happened..it was way out in the country..in missouri...he was never even questioned by the police...well after my husband s surgery and hospital stay the police questioned my husband...

and did a police report...

the only ramification..we had to sue the guys homeowners to pay all the medical expences..
my husband lives with the patch in his eye..but thank god for such a great surgeon..he has had his vision and used his eyes extensively for his work and he has lived with little ramifications for 28 yrs with his patched retina..

of course we have to watch it ..but ..he was peppered on his entire body..and several other pellets penetrated..but he was young...and they were able to retrive all the pellets out of his body...

but there were no legal ramifications..it was an accident...and thats how it was treated.

end of story..

fly

[stickdog]

187. The guy who shot your husband wasn't out with two young women.

And he didn't cover up what he'd done for almost 24 hours.

Finally, he didn't put your husband in intensive care for 3+ days with no end in sight.

[alcibiades_mystery]

72. If the VP does it, it is legal, Q.E.D.

Now get me my damn memory pills...

:evilgrin:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

75. I wonder if they're about ready to lay off the BS statements about how the

guy is smoking and joking and armwrestling the orderlies and pinching the candystripers.

[Beetwasher]

79. "It's Like He's In My Living Room..."

"Except he's all bandaged up, being fed via IV and he's in a coma, otherwise, it's just like he's hanging out in my living room."

[Sugar Smack]

95. VERY good call. I got so annoyed with the freaking msm-

All that reported "hearty good cheer", the healthy chuckling and yukking it up right after being shot in the face. Maybe they'll STFU or tell us what's really going on.

[electron_blue]

87. "back" in intensive care?

I haven't followed this story extremely closely, so maybe I missed it, but this is the first I've heard that Whittington was in intensive care before. I always got the impression it was "no big deal". As per the official statements. Not that I believe everything they've said, but if this guy was in intensive care why was this not reported earlier? Rhetorical question, really. I just want someone to ask this OUT LOUD in the press.

[seabeyond]

92. trauma icu. had surgery. very sketching on those facts

the parallel story was he was up chatting, telling jokes and flirting with nurse

we must demand facts.

supposedly he got out of icu yesterday afternoon. back in today. again all guess since we are not being given the information

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

93. It was reported, but just "played down" in the midst of all the statements

that the guy was smoking and joking and laughing about the whole thing!

See, news management and propaganda WORKS.

THAT'S WHY THEY DO IT! Even a smart DUer like you can be fooled, for a time, if you're not following a story closely.

[electron_blue]

101. Oh yeah, I am easy to fool if I don't pay attention closely

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

103. I am, too, and not proud about it. That's why we have to keep each other

honest here and demand documentation, sources.

[seabeyond]

105. hey there is so much shit. every story. they KNOW no one

can stay up with it, find it all, remember it all. i have forgotten MORE with this administration in 5 years than a lot of people ever know. i mean a massive amount of information.

i read all day long and have for about three years now.

it is "hard work" just to find the story

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

138. Good example: I've read basically nothing about the "cartoon" riots.

I have my gut instincts on what is happening there, but a lot of it is based on personal biases and prejudices, so I have no judgement about anything on that story until I've read more about it.

[seabeyond]

142. that one i chose to NOT jump in on and learn the stuff. too

much other stufff going on. i hear ya.

i had to learn about friggin huntin to understand this story and find the lie

[txindy]

134. Sent from one hospital's ER to another's Trauma Center.

If all he needed was supervision because of his age, why did the first hospital send him to another's Trauma Center? If the first hospital's staff, particularly the ICU staff, isn't competent, I want to know. I live in Texas. I don't want to go to a hospital that couldn't take care of an old man with "superficial" wounds.

[Zambero]

89. Aside from questions of life or death...

The first law enforcement investigator to arrive on the scene was denied access to the vice president by the Secret Service.

Hunting safety experts across the country are issuing news releases that set the record straight as to who was at fault here. There is no such thing as a "hunting accident". The cardinal rule is the hunter's responsibility for knowing what he or she is shooting at and to be 100% ceratin as to the whereabouts of everyone in your party. Some hunting safety instructors are even planning on making this incident part of future hunting safety courses.

The Texas State Parks and Wildlife Dept. will be issuing Cheney and Whittington warning citations for violating game laws by not having the required upland game bird stamp. WARNING CITATIONS! I guess actual fines for breaking the law are merely for the little people. If the unfortunate victim of this incident does not recover (actually dies), then another warning citation will likely be issued, stating that under no circumstances should the V.P. ever kill another hunter in the great state of Texas.

To top it off, White House Press Secretary, told a press corps obviously upset that the news of the incient had been deliberately withheld, that "I think you can always look back at these issues and look at how to do a better job". Note the key word "you". Yes, the subject of this matter, and the problem and solution here folks is with "you", and NOT with the person who pulled the trigger and then proceeded to reveal exactly why he'd graduated with an A+ in Lifetime Arrogance 101.

I would think that after the Scalia hunting fiasco, in which both Cheney and the Justice proverbially shot themselves in the foot by socializing in the face of the Supreme Court taking up Cheney's energy task force issue, that Cheney might wish to take up a less dangerous pastime. For starters, crocheting sounds nice! At least there'd be no blatant conflict of interest with the local home and garden club, and nobody ever gets shot up!

[Catherine Vincent]

96. Even though he's a republican, I hope this guy overcome his injuries.

That would be a sad way to go. Gunned down by someone you gave thousands of your hard earned money to.

[seabeyond]

99. well hell ya. and lets be clear. but f*..... we should have the info

too.

are we concerned for the man, his life and his family or is it just one big ole jolly laugh, and a huge ass fish story to tell cheney and scalia over booze next year

[WinkyDink]

175. Yeah, my heart's breakin'. I'll be sad when Abramoff dons prison togs,

too. NOT.

[onenote]

115. has anyone actually seen a report that whittington is back in ICU

I can't find one. Which makes me skeptical. But even if he is, it doesn't necessarily mean he's dead, dying, in a coma, etc. Plus, here are two statements from personnel at the hospital, as reported in the Houston Chronicle: "He's doing wonderful. I met with him earlier today — he was in a great mood. He has gotten up in a chair today," said Peter Banko, the administrator for Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial.

Dr. David Blanchard, director of hospital emergency services, said Whittington had more shotgun pellets "than I can count on my hands and less than 100" lodged in his face, neck and torso. He said the pellets would not be removed but added it is normal to closely observe a patient with multiple gunshot wounds.

"So far, everything has been following a textbook case; there are no complications," Blanchard said.

Now that doesn't mean that complications haven't arisen overnight, but you've got to be wrapped pretty tightly in tinfoil to think that multiple members of the hospital staff are all part of some big conspiracy to hide this guy's condition.

onenote

[seabeyond]

120. the obvious. we dont know. we cannot trust the information we

receive. these are the issues to me

[janx]

122. It's not a conspiracy to hide the guy's condition, but it IS

PR for the hospital, and to an extent, for the state of Texas.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

133. I'm not listening to radio, but I haven't seen anything online yet.

[npincus]

125. WHAT radio stastion?

[Az_lefty]

126. Guess he got peppered pretty good...

happens all the time...nothing to see here folks.

:sarcasm:

[electron_blue]

127. Well, Cheney was just officially cleared of all wrongdoing related to this

event. Not to be crass, but would this change if the guy dies?

[Pryderi]

132. I think the rules would change if Whittington is reported dead

I still say he was DOA.


<img src="">

[electron_blue]

159. I wouldn't think so, actually.

Once a person is "cleared", it's established that it was an accident and it wouldn't matter if the person died.

[stickdog]

188. BS. Texas law is based on bloodlust.

An eye for an eye and a dead guy for a dead guy.

[C_U_L8R]

131. He shouldn't have ever been released from the ICU !!!

Damn image-conscious self-absorbed Cheney exerting pressure
on the hospital to make it appear like a minor accident...
dangling funding I'm sure.... and all sorts of political extortion
to make things appear not how they truly are.

A man was shot .. for crying out loud...
in the face...
by the vice president !!

Please give this poor old guy every bit of care and attention
that he deserves... and stop Dicking around, Dick

[Pryderi]

137. They'll blame the hospital for taking him out of ICU.

[onenote]

136. Its been over an hour and no reports of whittington returning to icu

Maybe it'll turn out to be true, but at this point, what explanation could there be for it not being reported (after it allegedly was reported).

onenote

[Sparkly]

139. I'm waiting for something from the wires, too...

Couldn't find anything searching Google news...

[electron_blue]

140. Um, they wanted to get itarranged that Cheney was cleared of wrongdoing

Which they have now maneuvered. So, the hospital can now release the true status of Whittington. Probably later this afternoon we'll hear much more about him, how he's doing, whatnot.

Ya know, gotta take care of priorities - get your get of jail cards handy before letting the cops near.

[onenote]

141. but if some news sources reported it, why haven't others?

Your explanation doesn't explain that.

onenote

[electron_blue]

157. That's what I'm trying to say - now that Cheney is officially cleared

it'll be widely reported that Whittington is back in the ICU.

(assuming that he is - I'm just playing devil's advocate here).

[electron_blue]

180. Boy, I can sure call it sometimes, yee haw

[Kurovski]

144. Which radio station, what show, DJ, reporter, host?

I haven't heard anything on the news, nor have I found anything on the web about the info you have posted with no verification whatsoever. Did I miss the info somewhere in the many responses?

Is it the frenzy factor that makes the thread itself so great?

[Pryderi]

152. See posts #48 and 54

[Kurovski]

156. Thank you, Pryderi. Very strange that there is nothing anywhere

else. Creepy, actually.

[lonestarnot]

158. Wowza! Again this morning!

[Dunvegan]

161. Whittington is extremely wealthy...between his money and Cheney's...

...they've had time to create a non-hospital ICU-like setup for Wittington away from a public hospital.

That would be preferable for both victim and perp.

Just sayin'.

All I've found is that Whittington is being moved from the "full ICU" to a "step-down" unit according to the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8FP02T00.html

[Seedersandleechers]

176. I have never shot a rifle, but how could the guy have so many

shots without Cheney shooting, reloading, shooting, reloading. I don't get it?

[Seedersandleechers]

177. My BF just explained it to me...I feel so stupid

[Pryderi]

178. "Body Double" With a bandaged face, do we know it's him in the hosp?

[Dunvegan]

190. Well, we won't...that is, after the face transplant, anyway.

[SpecialK]

181. Okay....now in about 12-24 hours....

....Mr. Whittington will have passed from complications.

I find it very, very odd that there aren't even any QUOTES from the family. I mean, I don't expect the to have a press conference during a difficult time like this, but you'd think they'd release something.

...just the whole way this has unfolded is too strange....that Cheney hasn't spoken yet...the delay...that the WH has fudged the timeline....this COULD have been passed off as a silly, but unfortunate accident. It's turning out to be much more.

Something is rotten in texas.